Our Story
Our History
The Adult School of the Chathams, Madison and Florham Park was one of the first independent, nonprofit community education organizations founded in the State of New Jersey in 1937. We are one of the few lifelong learning programs in New Jersey that receives no government funding. All costs are financed by tuition fees and donations. A variety of facilities are used including the schools in each of the three districts. We are grateful to the local Boards of Education for providing the school facilities.
The Adult School of the Chathams, Madison & Florham Park exists to build a vibrant community that pursues and supports lifelong learning opportunities accessible to everyone – all bound by the common belief that continuous education is vital to self-actualization, personal achievement, physical and emotional well-being, and civic engagement.
Our Vision
The Adult School of the Chathams, Madison & Florham Park exists to build a vibrant community that pursues and supports lifelong learning opportunities accessible to everyone – all bound by the common belief that continuous education is vital to self-actualization, personal achievement, physical and emotional well-being, and civic engagement.
The Adult School invites you to delight in the pursuit of learning!
Our Mission
The Adult School of the Chathams, Madison & Florham Park provides affordable, high-quality lifelong learning programs that are interesting, informative, useful, and fun. From advanced subjects in language and technology to basic classes in the arts, hobbies, and everything in between, The Adult School is designed to accommodate anyone who seeks to keep learning and wants to do so with the guidance of a highly qualified teacher in the presence of other like-minded people. Whether it is to advance a career, pursue a passion, learn more about how to address the opportunities and challenges of our times, or to simply enjoy life more fully through deeper understanding of the world around us, The Adult School is a community of teachers, students, and facilities that leads and shares the adventure of learning with all who wish to know.
Our informal classroom atmosphere provides a wide variety of credit free learning experiences to stimulate the mind and body. Our courses are open to everyone, resident or not, with an interest in broadening horizons, obtaining new skills and furthering education. Our instructors are authors, computer programmers, teachers, chefs, therapists, doctors, artists and business people who come to share their knowledge and training simply because they love what they do. Last year, over 4,000 people took advantage of our program. Give us a call or stop by for a visit. Our staff will answer your questions and help you choose from our comprehensive course selections. Enroll early and remember that this is your school and your input is vital to the success of the program. Put on your thinking caps, feel free to make direct requests for a particular course and/or offer your special talents as a lifelong learning teacher. The Adult School invites you to delight in the pursuit of learning!